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First, some facts. Of the English Literature (British and Commonwealth) graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 103 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 42%, English Literature (British and Commonwealth) graduates have a substantially lower likelihood (-25%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 42% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a English Literature (British and Commonwealth) graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 45% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth). No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONTransaction Coordinator Live Here Mar 2019 - Dec 2019 Executive Assistant & Transaction Manager  Carolynn Howard, Realtor Mar 2020 - Present Operations Manager The Key Hive, brokered by eXp Realty of CA Jun 2021 - Present ABOUTExperienced Transaction Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry. Skilled in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Adobe Creative Suite, Digital Marketing, and Microsoft Office. Strong administrative professional with a Bachelor's degree focused in English Literature from University of Illinois at Chicago. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After analyzing a diverse array of LinkedIn profiles belonging to graduates with a degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth), it becomes evident that this group has ventured into various career paths, reflecting a range of relevance to their academic background. One of the most common types of jobs these graduates have taken on is teaching, especially in English Language and Literature. Positions like English Teacher, Reading Coach, and even Teaching Assistant showcase a direct application of the skills and knowledge acquired during their studies. These educational roles allow graduates to engage with existing literature directly, develop students' analytical capabilities, and foster a love for reading—key components of English Literature. The relevance here is high, as these jobs fundamentally revolve around the core tenets of their degree.
However, a significant number of graduates have also found themselves in roles that only tangentially relate to their field of study. Jobs such as customer service positions, administrative roles, and various legal assistant positions highlight this phenomenon. For example, while communication and analytical skills cultivated in English Literature can be beneficial in these contexts, the day-to-day responsibilities often focus more on operational tasks rather than literary analysis, making the relevance quite limited. Moreover, certain graduates have even pursued careers in completely unrelated fields, such as sales, banking, or technical roles, where the application of their degree is nearly absent. This disconnection is particularly observable in roles like Data Implementation Supervisor, Quality Assurance Analyst, and various managerial positions that hinge on entirely different skill sets.
In conclusion, while many English Literature graduates successfully transition into teaching and related educational roles, a sizeable portion find themselves in careers where their degree is only somewhat relevant or entirely disconnected. This stark contrast highlights the flexibility of an English Literature education, which provides critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills beneficial across numerous fields. However, it also underscores the reality that many graduates do not find or choose to pursue opportunities that align closely with their academic foundation, leading to a mixed relevance in their career paths.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for English Literature (British and Commonwealth) graduates:
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth), it becomes evident that there is a mixed bag of outcomes. Honestly, not every graduate has found a direct path into fields that align with their degree. For many, the first jobs after graduation often vary widely, indicating a lack of a straightforward career pathway. Some start in roles that relate to education, such as teaching English or working in libraries, while others gravitate toward seemingly unrelated jobs such as administrative positions, retail, or even roles in the technology and legal sectors. It’s clear that while some have taken on positions that connect with their literary background, many appear to have gone into roles that don’t harness their English degree directly.
Fast forward a few years, and the trend continues to reflect a broad spectrum of outcomes. About five to ten years down the line, we've seen some graduates carve successful careers in education — becoming full-time teachers or moving into administrative roles within educational institutions. A number of former English majors have transitioned into law, leveraging their writing and analytical skills. However, several others remain stuck in jobs that are peripheral to English Literature or entirely unrelated fields, often making a life out of retail, administrative tasks, or even customer service. For every graduate who has climbed the ladder in literary fields, there’s another who finds themselves in a career that may not even remotely involve literature. The reality is that while some graduates shine and thrive in their chosen fields, many drift into positions that don't fully utilize their background.
In short, pursuing a degree in English Literature can lead to fruitful paths, especially in education, law, and journalism/editorial roles, but it's equally possible to find oneself in a job that has little to do with literary studies. If you’re considering this field, be prepared for a diverse range of career options, both relevant and less so. The journey can be rewarding, but it may also require some detours along the way.
A Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, especially focusing on British and Commonwealth literature, can be a pretty mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s not exactly the easiest path, mainly because it involves a lot of reading, analyzing texts, and writing essays that require both critical thinking and creativity. You’ll be diving into some pretty dense novels, poetry, and plays, trying to unpack different themes, historical context, and literary techniques. If you love to read and write, you'll probably find it more enjoyable than tough, but for those who aren't as passionate about literature, it might feel like a daunting challenge. Overall, it’s tougher than some other degrees but definitely manageable if you're into the subject matter and ready to put in the effort!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth).
Looking at these graduates and their career paths, there seems to be a mix of success and struggle when it comes to job positions and likely earnings. For instance, graduates from top universities like Boston University and UCLA seem to have landed solid roles in research, editing, and corporate environments, suggesting a decent income. On the flip side, some graduates, especially those in education or entry-level positions, might not be making as much initially. Jobs like teachers often get paid less, especially early in their careers. Overall, while some are making good money, a few might find it challenging to break into higher-paying roles immediately after graduation.
Additionally, there are those who have shifted to more stable positions over time, like the graduate from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who moved from a variety of roles to banking, which usually pays pretty well. On the other hand, some paths—like the graduate from Lehman College who took a series of service jobs—indicate that they might not have struck gold yet. In the end, it really varies from person to person, and while many are on a good trajectory, not all of them might be raking in the big bucks just yet.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth) (ordered by the average relevance score of their English Literature (British and Commonwealth) graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: